Steven Cozzie trial set for June

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 04:47 PM.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The trial of Steven Cozzie has been scheduled for nearly two years after law officers found the body of the 15-year-old girl he is accused of killing.

Jury selection has been set for June 10, with the likely two-week trial to follow.

“I’m very hopeful we can get this thing to trial in June,” Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells said during a hearing Thursday in DeFuniak Springs. “I assume this is going to take some time, at least more than my standard week trial.”

Cozzie, 23, of Seagrove Beach, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, armed kidnapping and sexual battery in connection with the death of Courtney Wilkes.

He exchanged stares with her family at the hearing, which likely was one of the last court sessions before the trial.

Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore requested the trial date, which could last through the anniversary of Wilkes’ death on June 16, 2011.

The girl from Lyons, Ga., was vacationing in Seagrove Beach when she was reported missing. Her body was found the same day less than a half mile from the condominium she was staying at with her family.

She had been sexually assaulted and strangled, according to reports.

Her parents, Cordy and Toni Wilkes, sat in the courtroom Thursday as the trial date was discussed.

Elmore told Wells they had asked that the trial be pushed back until June so they could celebrate what would have been Courtney’s high school graduation in May.

“They’ve been very ready for this to be over, but their wish is to be able to attend some memorials that will be done for their daughter and have the trial this summer,” Elmore said.

Elmore said he had hoped the trial would be set for January, but one of Cozzie’s attorneys told Wells she could not be ready by then.

Sharon Wilson said she still has to depose several members of Cozzie’s family, most whom don’t live in Florida.

“We have made some progress since the last court appearance,” Wilson said. “What happens is we get some records and some witnesses, then we find there are more records to get and more witnesses.”

She also added that one psychological evaluation of Cozzie is being conducted and another mental health expert likely will be asked to evaluate him before the trial.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The trial of Steven Cozzie has been scheduled for nearly two years after law officers found the body of the 15-year-old girl he is accused of killing.

Jury selection has been set for June 10, with the likely two-week trial to follow.

“I’m very hopeful we can get this thing to trial in June,” Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells said during a hearing Thursday in DeFuniak Springs. “I assume this is going to take some time, at least more than my standard week trial.”

Cozzie, 23, of Seagrove Beach, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, armed kidnapping and sexual battery in connection with the death of Courtney Wilkes.

He exchanged stares with her family at the hearing, which likely was one of the last court sessions before the trial.

Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore requested the trial date, which could last through the anniversary of Wilkes’ death on June 16, 2011.

The girl from Lyons, Ga., was vacationing in Seagrove Beach when she was reported missing. Her body was found the same day less than a half mile from the condominium she was staying at with her family.

She had been sexually assaulted and strangled, according to reports.

Her parents, Cordy and Toni Wilkes, sat in the courtroom Thursday as the trial date was discussed.

Elmore told Wells they had asked that the trial be pushed back until June so they could celebrate what would have been Courtney’s high school graduation in May.

“They’ve been very ready for this to be over, but their wish is to be able to attend some memorials that will be done for their daughter and have the trial this summer,” Elmore said.

Elmore said he had hoped the trial would be set for January, but one of Cozzie’s attorneys told Wells she could not be ready by then.

Sharon Wilson said she still has to depose several members of Cozzie’s family, most whom don’t live in Florida.

“We have made some progress since the last court appearance,” Wilson said. “What happens is we get some records and some witnesses, then we find there are more records to get and more witnesses.”

She also added that one psychological evaluation of Cozzie is being conducted and another mental health expert likely will be asked to evaluate him before the trial.